Currently, especially in major cities, the use of POP boards for artificial ceilings is practically nonexistent. Gypsum boards are the only material that most architects and builders use, as they produce a high-quality finish and enable quicker construction. Gypsum and Plaster of Paris (PoP) utilization is to create fake ceilings. However, there are distinctions between them.
Chart Summary
| GYPSUM | PLASTER OF PARIS |
| Thick and heavy |
| Costs more in market price and labor expenses |
Getty images/Moment/ Jung Getty
Definition
Gypsum plaster is a white cementing substance formed by wholly or partially dehydrating the mineral gypsum, usually with the addition of specific retarders or hardeners. It sets and hardens via chemical recombination of the gypsum with water when applied in a plastic form (with water).
Plaster of Paris is a white powdery chemical substance composed of hydrated calcium sulphate, often made by calcining gypsum. In other words, Plaster of Paris is often manufactured using heated gypsum at a high temperature. Plaster of Paris is a well-known chemical compound often used in sculpting materials and gauze bandages.
Gypsum vs. Plaster of Paris
After applying sand cement plaster, the surface appears rough and uneven and may contain fissures. Plaster of Paris (PoP) is used as a coating over sand cement-plastered surfaces to give them a smooth texture and to allow the wall to be painted. On the other hand, Gypsum plasters are a viable alternative to the combination of sand cement plasters and Plaster of Paris (PoP). Plastering the wall with gypsum creates an even, smooth, and crack-free surface that does not require using Plaster of Paris to smoothen the surface. The cost of gypsum plastering is significantly lower than that of applying sand cement plaster, which Plaster of Paris follows. Gypsum plastering is 20% less expensive than sand cement plastering and Plaster of Paris application. This is primarily due to the additional time and resources required to finish the projects. When compared to sand cement plastering, gypsum plastering saves 75% of the time necessary for building construction.
Plaster of Paris treatment increases the sand cement plastered wall’s thickness so that fissures may emerge following PoP application. Gypsum plasters have a low density and solid compressive strength. Thus, plastering the walls with gypsum reduces their weight. This is especially important as builders, architects, and engineers worldwide work to minimize the dead weight of tall structures to fortify them against high-pressure wind and high-magnitude earthquakes.